Women's
Empowerment Retreat Weekend with Jenn Wooten
August 8-10, 2008
Margaret Austin Center
The
beautiful Margaret Austin Retreat Center is just a country drive away
from Austin. The site of yoga and meditation gatherings for over 30
years, the retreat center is the perfect environment for exploring the
transformational process of daily yoga practice and living. With all
your needs provided for, you can devote your energy to deepening your
yoga practice and knowledge in a focused and accelerated manner. Absolutely
delicious yogic meals, simple clean accommodations, fresh country air
and deep well water create a healing and elevating experience that will
take you into the heart of a yogic lifestyle.
Please
plan to arrive at 4pm on Friday, August 8th. Departure will be after
brunch on Sunday, August 10th. The drive from Austin will take between
1.5 and 2 hours.
We
will provide delicious, simple vegetarian meals. We are unable to cater
to specific medical diets, but you are welcome to discuss your situation
and options if you have concerns.
There
are 2 multiple room lodges with 4 to 6 beds per room and four shared
bathrooms. You may also bring a tent if you wish to camp.
What
to Bring
- Sheets
and/or sleeping bag, pillow, and blanket. Bunk beds are provided
but you need your own bedding.
- Towels,
washcloths (Optional bathing suit if you want to use outdoor showers;
there are indoor showers as well.)
- Toiletries
(soap, shampoo, etc.) . . . bring your favorite pampering items
- face masks, hair conditioner. No nail polish inside, please.
- Yoga
mat, yoga blanket, bolster (if you have one) and any other props
you like - for example: shawl and/or zafu for meditation. The MAC
does not provide any props
- Journal
/ notebook.
- Refillable
water bottle (the water on the property is great. No filtration
necessary)
- Earplugs
(if you are a light sleeper)
- Flashlight
- Alarm
clock or timer
No
alcohol, smoking, or pets on the premises.
About
the Margaret Austin Center
In
order to ensure your safety and comfort during your stay, we wish to
give you information about our facilities and grounds in advance of
the retreat you are attending.
Shoes
We ask everyone to remove their shoes upon entering the buildings,
except the dining hall, so you may want to bring slip on shoes. For
walking on the immediate grounds (the 6 acres around our buildings)
any footwear is acceptable. Please do not walk barefoot! If you wish
to walk in the pastures, please wear closed toe shoes.
Wildlife
We share our grounds with many creatures. Please be aware that these
are WILD creatures and you should not try to pet or feed any of them.
Among our animal residents you will find: Raccoons, bats, possums, mice,
skunks, squirrels, armadillos and all kinds of birds.
Insects. If you are allergic to insect bites or bee stings, please bring
your medicines with you.
Reptiles
We have reptile residents as well, INCLUDING COPPERHEADS. A note about
copperheads: We don't see copperheads very often at the Center. They
are shy of humans and are not vicious, but they do not like to be stepped
on! They are most common in the warm months. Because they do live here,
it is VERY IMPORTANT that you watch where you are going and that you
use a flashlight at night if you are out of the dorms. Poke piles of
leaves with a long stick before you step. Look down at your feet as
you cross a threshold. Copperheads are POISONOUS and if you get bitten
you will have to spend an uncomfortable night in the hospital, so please
BE AWARE AND WATCH WHERE YOU WALK.
Vegetation
We have poison ivy and poison oak on the grounds. If you don't know
what it looks like, ask the Caretaker. If you touch any, we have a poison
ivy wash in the medicine cabinet that does a good job of washing off
the offending oils.
Facilities
- Our
buildings are made of wood and some of them are over 20 years old.
Depending on how wet or dry the season has been, those of you who
are allergic to mold may need to bring antihistamines for your comfort.
- It
is very dark here at night. Bring a flashlight to light your way
between the buildings at night.
- Our
brick walkways are beautiful, but very uneven. Please watch your
step.
- There
may be small holes and depressions in the ground dug by the armadillos
that make for uneven walking.
- Fire
escape ladders are available in the 2 story dormitory. They are
upstairs & each is marked with an orange sign.
- No
burning candles, incense or anything else lit in the dormitories
- Please
do not leave your car in the driveway at any time. Please drop your
bags on the porch and then move your car to the parking lot.
Please
know that if you injure yourself or become ill while on retreat, the
Caretaker will take you to the Trinity Medical Center in Brenham, which
is about 20 minutes from the Center. If you have a medical condition
that requires special care at an emergency room (such as drug allergies),
please be sure to give that information to your retreat leader BEFORE
you come to the Center.
Please
be aware that by attending the retreat, you are agreeing to assume full
responsibility for any risk of loss, personal property damage, and/or
personal injury, including death, which you may sustain while at the
Center. You are also assuming responsibility for any medical costs incurred
by you during your stay. The Margaret Austin Center is a nonprofit organization
and we do not have the monetary resources to assume any financial responsibility
for your medical care.
Directions
(from Austin)
1) Take I-290 East to Brenham. Take Route 36 South
Bellville/Houston 290 loop to the RIGHT as you enter Brenham.
2) Stay on 290 and proceed to Chappel Hill. (9 miles past the route
36 intersection)
3) Turn RIGHT at the only stop light in Chappel Hill and travel 1/4
mile to first stop sign.
4) Turn LEFT on FM 1371 and travel 1 mile to the next stop sign.
5) Turn RIGHT (still on FM 1371) and travel 2-3/10 miles to Sauney Chapel
Road. At the 90-degree right turn intersection, go
STRAIGHT onto Sauney Chapel Road.
6) Travel 1 mile down sauney Chapel road to Trackside Road.
7) Turn LEFT on Trackside Road and travel 6/10 mile to first stop sign.
8) Turn LEFT (staying on Trackside Road) and travel 1/10 mile to first
driveway.
9) Turn LEFT into driveway of the Margaret Austin Center. Congratulations!
If
you need directions from another direction, please visit www.macenter.org
Carpooling
If you are interested in carpooling to the Center, please email your
name and phone number to Delora@yogayoga.com.
She will forward interested participants information to each other so
you can coordinate amongst yourselves.
Questions
Call Events (512) 707-9642
For directions to the Center, please call the Center at (979) 836-4757
